The Nature of Market Volatility: Survival Logic and the Rhythm Battle in Crypto

  1. The Market is Not “Dead” – It’s Just Suffering In the past six months, the crypto market has been like a body with a chronic illness. No sudden shocks, but gradually weakening, losing resilience. Bitcoin has slid from its peak of around $126,000 to approximately $86,000. Altcoins are nothing but “devastating.” Many blame interest rates, macroeconomics, the Fed… but these are just surface causes. The core issue lies in the market structure being seriously damaged after the flash crash on 11/10. At that time, the liquidity of market makers nearly vanished. Order books became unusually thin, like an engine running low on oil: just a small sell-off can trigger a chain reaction. In such an environment, predicting whether prices will go up or down is no longer the most important skill. More crucial is distinguishing: What is market “mechanical error” volatility?What is the true trend of large capital flows? My personal experience is very clear: 👉 Slow decline is not scary; rapid decline is the death sentence. Prices gradually decrease, volume diminishes, usually just temporary withdrawals of funds from the market. But if after a sharp drop, the recovery is weak, and there’s no subsequent buying force, it’s almost always a sign that major players have given up.
  2. The True Peaks – Troughs Are in the Rhythm, Not in the Indicators Most traders are obsessed with RSI, MACD, Bollinger Bands… But for me, peaks and troughs are not numbers, but the rhythm of price and volume movements. Fake Peak Trap A “false” peak often has these characteristics: Strong price increase, explosive volumeEach correction is quickly bought upShort correction time, long rally period This indicates the market is being supported, not distributed. Many panic sellers, but big money quietly accumulates. Real Peak Signals Conversely, a true peak is often very quiet: Price makes a new high but volume wanesSigns of “price manipulation without buyers”Appearing a strong red candle with volume is enough to confirm a trend reversal Many altcoins have died following this scenario: the highest peak accompanied by thin liquidity, then a 30–40% drop within hours. Troughs Are Not Exceptions Either A large green candle is not the bottom. A sustainable bottom requires: Sufficiently long accumulation periodVolume gradually narrowing Followed by a break of resistance with real volume A bottom is a process, not a moment.
  3. Liquidity is the “King of All Charts” Prices can be manipulated, but liquidity is very hard to fake. I always monitor two critical signals: Whale Capital Flows When “hibernating” BTC wallets suddenly transfer coins to exchanges, it’s rarely good news. A large transaction can shake the market in a thin order book environment. Derivatives Sentiment Options and futures data directly reflect the fears of big players. If: Open interest puts are heavily concentrated at low levelsCall options are almost empty at high levels Then it’s not the time to “catch falling knives.” Currently, the market resembles a liquidity game more than value investing. Market makers actively shrink their scale, amplifying volatility. In this environment, patience is more important than any technical strategy.
  4. The Emotional Cycle and the Power of Stories Crypto doesn’t operate purely on data but on trust and stories. AI tokens explode not necessarily because of technological breakthroughs but because the market needs a reason to believeMemecoins spread because they reflect the frustration and despair of the younger generation towards traditional paths to wealth. My strategy is very clear: Get in early when the story is still smallGradually increase as the story becomes a trend No one gets rich by holding a narrative from start to finish. The survivor is the one who knows when to leave the table while the music is still playing.
  5. Trading is a Craft Trading is not an exact science but a craft based on discipline. Not entering a trade is also a decision There are phases where I stay out for over a month. The upside is avoiding enough crashes to wipe out the account. Cut losses based on liquidity, not percentages When spreads widen unusually, it’s a signal to withdraw immediately—even if the traditional stop isn’t hit. Be cautious of the “experience curse” Markets change, old formulas are not always valid. This cycle, ETH no longer leads altcoins as before. Applying mechanical rules will only make you pay tuition again. Conclusion: Survival is More Important Than Proving Yourself The harshest truth of the market is: 👉 Most investors’ efforts only help them lose faster and more completely. Following dozens of KOLs, scrolling through hundreds of tweets daily doesn’t make you richer. Understanding capital flow, liquidity, and market psychology is what keeps you in the game. My profit path isn’t built on miraculous all-ins but on avoiding 99% of noisy opportunities. In a bull market, everyone boasts about profits. In a bear market, there’s only one contest: who’s still alive. As long as you haven’t been eliminated, you still have a chance.
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